North Star Nature Suites | Opened a New Mountain Retreat in the Tennessee Highlands, U.S.

North Star Nature Suites, hospitality company founded by Kevin and Amalia Logan, a firm based in Sparta, Tennessee, U.S. has opened a new mountain retreat in the Tennessee Highlands, very captivating mountainous areas in East Tennessee particularly the Great Smoky Mountains and the Highlands of Roan, also encompassing the Western Highland Rim, a hilly region west of Nashville,  capital of the state known as the "Country Music Capital of the World", well known for its music, honky - tonks, a vibrant atmosphere and a relevant art scene.

The new property is located 90 minutes from Nashville, Chattanooga and Knoxville, and 30 minutes from Upper Cumberland Regional Airport making it an ideal location to discover and enjoy several attractions across this attractive landlocked state in the Southeastern region of the United States.

The retreat consists of 8 standalone suites, each measuring 500 square feet offering views of 60.000 acres of surrounding state park land.

Each suite includes floor - to ceiling windows, spa - inspired bathrooms with heated floors and rain showers, and fully equipped kitchens.

Additional amenities include king - size beds, fireplaces, smart TVs, and high – speed internet access.
The suites also feature 3.000 square feet of outdoor living space, which include a private hot tub, a fire fit, a grill, and a dining area.

The new property is also suitable for corporate and small group buyouts, as well as personalized celebration packages for special events, including anniversaries and honeymoons.

During their stay guests can access to on - site experiences, including hiking trail and guided tours to nearby Lost Creek Falls, famous site situated in a natural area on the western flank of the Cumberland Plateau and complimentary utility terrain vehicles (UTVs).

North Star Nature Suites operates year - round, adapting to seasonal changes with activities ranging from spring wildflower hikes to winter stays by the fireplace.

Link 
https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article137123.html

Mama Shelter | Set for Swiss Debut with its First Property Opening in Zürich this July

Mama Shelter, hospitality company founded in 2008 in Paris by the visionary Serge Trigano and his sons Benjamin and Jérémie, a group characterized by passion for hospitality and paved their way to success by creating distinctive comfortable and functional urban hotels around the world, an accessible design - hotel brand part of Accor Group, French hospitality group headquartered in Issy - les - Moulineaux  will open its first property in Switzerland on 31st July 2025,  located in Zürich.

The hotel has been designed by the team's in - house studio led by Benjamin El Doghaïli and it will mark the 19th hotel worldwide for the brand opening its doors in a very demanded destination like Zürich, the industrial, financial, and cultural centre of the country and one of the most cosmopolitan and dynamic Swiss cities.

Mama Shelter Zürich is located at Schulstrasse, 44 in the Oerlikon district, in the northern part of the  city, a lively area highlighted by the presence of the Hallenstadion, a relevant arena which hosts big sporting events and concerts, the Messe Zürich Exhibition Centre and Theatre Zürich, staging Broadway Show, close to a large sports complex and the railway station, a neighbourhood aksi known to be a very busy shopping area.

The hotel features 178 rooms, a restaurant, bar, a rooftop lounge, banquet hall, coworking spaces, pétanque and table tennis courts, pinball and a fully equipped gym.

The first floor of the property is a hybrid space and includes a bar with outdoor terraces, four studios and three workshops plus a creative room, alongside the gym.

The second floor is home to Mama's Garden rooftop lounge which provides views of the city and serves a menu including brunch, wines and cocktails.

Co - founder of Mama Shelter, alongside his sons Benjamin and Jérémie, Serge Trigano said that Zürich, beyond its banks, is a natural destination for Mama Shelter thanks to its architecture, its lake, its nature and excellent gastronomy. For that Mama Shelter is proud to take over an iconic hotel in this city and completely transform it to fit the company's concept, making it the 19th in its growing family.

Chief operating officer at Mama Shelter, Cédric Gobilliard stated that Zürich is a city in constant evolution, cosmopolitan, creative and forward - looking, sharing Mama Shelter's values of openness, friendliness and freedom. 

With this new address, one of its revitalised neighbourhood, Mama Shelter wants to offer locals and travellers alike a warm, lively, and accessible place designed for the joy of being together. A place to work, meet, share or a drink, or simply enjoy a convivial moment, from morning until night.

Links 
https://all.accor.com/hotel/B9X1/index.en.shtml
https://boutiquehotelnews.com/news/hotel/mama-shelter-swiss-debut/

Ruby Hotels | To Open its First Property in Greece, a Hotel in Central Athens

Ruby Hotels GmbH, hospitality group based in Munich, Germany, a hotel company breaking new ground with its Lean Luxury Philosophy with a lean organisational structure and concentration on the essentials and aimed in creating a contemporary, affordable of luxury for modern, cost and style - conscious customers and part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, British multinational hospitality company headquartered in Windsor,  Berkshire, England, UK, will open its first property in Greece, a hotel in central Athens.

The project will be managed in partnership with Primetown Development, a company based in Athens which focuses on developing branded hospitality assets and supporting international operators with their expansion into international markets.

The hotel, planned to open in 2027 will open its doors at Agious Konstaninou 7, along a relevant urban artery which runs from the bustling Omonia Square, theorically the centre of the city, surrounded by neoclassical buildings and characterized by heavy traffic and as a common meeting spot in the Hellenic metropolis to Karaiskaki Square located in the lively district of Metaxourgio.

The property enters in IHG Hotels & Resorts' premium portfolio will feature 114 rooms, a ground floor bar and breakfast area, a fifth - floor terrace with an outdoor bar and pool, as well as a rooftop space on the ninth - floor designed for private events.

Associate Director of development, Southern Europe at the Ruby Hotels, Catherine Hilt, said that the group is proud to have secured this outstanding project and to contribute the company deep expertise in converting urban buildings into high - performing lifestyle properties.

Athens represents an exciting next step for Ruby Hotels' development and perfectly embodies the type of vibrant, culturally rich destination where the group Lean Luxury philosophy comes to life. 

Together with the the company’s partner Primetown Development and in strategic alignment with the IHG brand family, Ruby Hotels is looking forward to bringing this hotel to life in the centre of Athens.

VP development for Europe at IHG Hotels & Resorts, Willemijn Geels, said that Ruby Hotels coming to Athens demonstrates that continued appetite from travellers for a premium urban lifestyle brand in one of Europe's most popular tourist destinations. The signing of Ruby Hotels in Athens is a unique opportunity to grow the brand in new locations and further cements IHG's portfolio in Greece, where the group now has ten open and pipeline hotels.

Partner at Primetown Development, Sotirios Athinaios expressed is enthusiasm stating that to be partnering with Ruby Hotels and IHG Hotels & Resorts on a project that redefines contemporary hospitality in the heart of Athens. The company's aim is to breathe new life into this iconic building and create a space that reflects the creative energy and cultural dynamism of the city. This hotel is more than a property, it's a statement about the future of Athens, as a vibrant, globally relevant destination. 

Links

 https://www.ruby-hotels.com/en/press/ruby-group-announces-first-hotel-in-greece

https://boutiquehotelnews.com/news/hotel/ruby-hotels-greece/

France | Continuing to Lead Global Travel & Tourism Sector

France remains the world leader in tourism, 2024 was a record year, according to a WTTC, the World Travel & Tourism Council report, and providing new data the country is on track to exceed this exceptional performance throughout 2025 continuing to lead global travel & tourism sector despite increasing competition.

Last year, France welcomed more than 100 million international visitors, generating €71 billion in revenue according to Campus France, a success which is attributed to its rich history, culture and landscaping cementing its position as a preferred tourist destination globally combined to other factors.

While maintaining its leading position, France is also focusing on enhancing the quality of its tourism offerings and promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism practices. The country is working to address challenges such as longer stays, diversifying visitor demographics, and ensuring the sector is environmentally responsible.

France is also promoting ecotourism and green tourism, with options like trekking, hiking, cycling and visits to national and regional parks, which are gaining popularity appealing to environmentally conscious travellers.

Effective promotion and marketing is a further successful factor. France's tourism agency, Atout France, actively promotes the country's  offering through various channels, including social media, and partnerships with relevant influencers.

The latest EIR, Economic Impact Research produced in collaboration with Oxford Economics, a leading global economic advisory firm, providing data - driven insights and forecasts to help clients navigate complex economic landscapes, confirms that in 2024 Travel & Tourism in France surpassed all previous records across economic contribution, employment, and visitor spending, solidifying the country’s leadership as the world’s most visited destination once again.

Travel & Tourism sector contributed €266.2 billion to the national economy, 10.1% above 2019 and equivalent to 9.1 of the French GPD and also supported three million jobs, employing 300.000 more people than in 2019.

Further data show that international visitor spending reached €72.5 billion, while domestic visitor spending climbed to €142.1 billion, numbers that reflect strong and balanced demand, seeing a hike of 7.1% and 5.7% on peak levels, respectively. 

According to the World Travel & Tourism Council, this year is expected to continue this upward positive trajectory and improve on the previous’s year historic peak across all analysed metrics.

For 2025 the sector is forecast to contribute €274.2 billion increasing to 9.3% share of the economy, while employment is expected to reach 3.1 million jobs, nearly 1 in 10 people employed by Travel & Tourism industry in France.

Concerning international visitor spending, is projected to rise to €75.1 billion, with domestic spend reaching €144.2 billion, numbers that confirm a notable and attractive offering.

This enduring performance highlights the country’s strong tourism fondamentals, from world - class cultural and leisure assets to robust transport infrastructure and sustained government support. 

WTTC President & Ceo, Julia Simpson, said that France continues to set the pace for Travel & Tourism worldwide. After a historic 2024, the sector is expected to maintain its growth into 2025 and beyond.

The successful hosting of the Olympic and Paralympic Games showcased France on the global stage, reinforcing its reputation as a premier destination with the capacity to deliver exceptional experiences at scale and France remains a beacon for travellers globally.

The World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts that by 2035, Travel & Tourism in France could contribute €308.4 billion to the national economy, equivalent to 9.4% of the national GDP, and supporting 3.5 million jobs, representing 11.2% of total employment.

With these positive expectations the sector will continue to be a pillar of growth and opportunity, driven by evolving cosnsumer trends, growing global demand, and investments in innovation and sustainability. 

About the European continent in 2024 the European Union Travel & Tourism sector contributed almost €1.8 trillion to the region’s GPD, representing more than 10% of the Bloc’s economy, and above 2019 levels by almost 6%.

 The sector’s employment grew by 4.7%, year - on - year to 24.6 million jobs, accounting for one in nine jobs across the region. 

By 2025 The World Travel & Tourism Council forecasts that the EU Travel & Tourism sector will reach almost €1.9i trillion, representing 10.5% of the European Union economy. Employment linked to the sector is estimated to total 25.7 million people, or 12% of the regional total.

Link 
https://wttc.org/news/france-set-to-maintain-unmatched-2024-growth-in-travel-and-tourism

Colombia | "Colombia : Destino Astroturístico", an Initiative to Consolidate the Country as a Regional Benchmark in Astrotourism

Colombia is actively promoting astrotourism as a way to boost international tourism and foster sustainable rural development and MinCit, the Colombian Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism has launched a national call named "Colombia : Destino Astroturístico",

This  initiative aims to consolidate the country as a regional benchmark in astrotourism promoting sustainable experiences with the purpose to identify and develop suitable stargazing locations showcasing Colombia's unique geographic advantage for observing both the northern and southern constellations in rural areas.

The call is aimed at territorial entities, tourism service providers, associations, academic institutions and astronomical groups. The objective is to identify and accompany territories with high potential for astrotourism.

Astroturism also known as stargazing tourism, is travel focused on experiencing the night sky, celestial events and astronomy - related activities, often in areas with minimal light pollution. It encompasses various forms, from planned trips to see meteor showers or eclipses, to simply enjoying the beauty of the Milky Way in a dark sky location, an emerging segment that combines nature, science and local development.

In addition astrotourism generates economic development, promotes scientific education, the conservation of the natural environment and the strengthening of local identity through narratives about the universe and the cosmos.

The initiative "Colombia : Destino Astroturístico"  highlights the government's commitment to responsible, innovative and knowledge – based tourism, where science, culture and landscape are integrated to create meaningful experiences.

In addition to diversifying the tourism offer, the project seeks to generate income in rural communities, promote environmental monitoring and strengthen community participation in the registration of astronomical data, in line with the Tourism Sector Plan 2022 - 2026 : "Tourism in Harmony with Life".

Colombia has privileged conditions for astrotourism : dark and clear skies, low light pollutions in large rural areas and and a relevant geographical location that allows you to observe constellations from both the northern and southern hemispheres.  

The strategy envisaged by MinCit is seeking to identify up to 50 potential destinations through satellite data and local assessments with dark skies and minimal light pollution, prioritizing those with high tourism potential.

Of these ten standout destinations will be selected to receive a specialized diagnosis, technical support, scientific assessment and marketing assistance to establish them as prominent astrotourism destinations.

Destinations such as the Tatacoa Desert, the second largest arid zone in Colombia after the Guajira Peninsula occupying more than 330 square kilometres located north of Huila Department and Villa de Leyva, renowned touristic colonial town northeast of Bogotá in the Ricarte Province, part of the Boyacá Department are already recognized by astronomy enthusiasts.

The potential extends to territories such as La Guajira, department on the Caribbean Sea, bordering Venezuela, encompassing most of the Guajira Peninsula, a land characterized by desert lasndscapes and giant sand dunes, Nariño, department in the west of the country, bordering Ecuador and the Pacific Ocean and Caquetá Department, located in the Amazonas region could benefit from the growth of this type of tourism.

The call is open until 11th July 2025. Each territory may submit a single application, which will be evaluated by technical and strategic criteria. The 10 selected territories will receive comprehensive support to structure tourism products based on starry sky.

Those interested can register through the official website of MinCit tourist calls. Colombia, the "el País de la Belleza", the country of the beauty, is now committed to conquering the sky as an engine of development and sustainable tourism.

Link 
https://infoturlatam.com/colombia-impulsa-el-astroturismo-con-convocatoria-nacional/

Thailand | Promoting its Cultural Heritage Globally through Bloomberg Connects

Thailand is partnering with Bloomberg Connects to promote its cultural heritage. This app is a digital platform designed to make arts and culture more accessible, offering tools like trip planning, maps and working as a tour guide to showcase museums, galleries, gardens, historical sites and more of the Southeast Asian country.

This initiative is the result of an agreement of partnership between Media Fund of Thailand, a government - backed agency which supports safe and creative media, Imagineear Ltd, company based in London, England, UK specializes in media technology for visitor experiences, producing multimedia solutions for culture, leisure and sport and Bloomberg Philanthropies, organization headquartered in New York, U.S. that encompasses all of charitable giving of founder Michael R. Bloomberg, focuses its resources on five areas : the environment, public health, the arts, government innovation  and education.

The projexct aims to give Thai cultural sites international exposure and empower local multimedia professionals to ensure the creation of high - quality content that showcases the country’s history and traditions.

Bloomberg Connects seeks to disseminate the stories, voices and culture that define Thai identity, to make them accessible to people around the world. The app will offer free, expert - curated guides develped in cooperation with cultural institutions of Thailand enhancing both online and on - site vistor experience.

Director of business development for Asia Pacific at Imagineear Ltd in Thailand, Adrian Apperley, highlighted that this initiative promotes education, tourism and cultural diplomacy. 

The signing of the agreement underscores the shared commitment to cultural preservation, international storytelling and innovation in media.

Imagineear Ltd and Bloomberg Connects will work closely with local cultural actors, artists, and institutions to develop high - quality, engaging content for national aned international audiences.

Link
https://infoturlatam.com/impulsan-difusion-internacional-del-patrimonio-cultural-de-tailandia/

Guatemala | Recognized as the Best International Destination 2025 at Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards

 Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards has recognized Guatemala as the "Best International Destination 2025". This award celebrates the Central American cultural richness, ancient history, overall appeal and as a very emergent travel destination in the international landscape also highlighted by UN Tourism, the United Nations agency leading the promotion of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism in several occasions. 

The Latin American nation was distinguished with one of the most prestigious awards in world tourism by the readers of the renowned Condé Nast Traveler, luxury and lifestyle travel magazine considered among the most influential in the international tourism industry, published by Condé Nast, a prestigious global mass media company based in New York, U.S. founded in 1909 by Condé Montorose Nast, and owned by Advance Publications.

The award ceremony took place in the capital of Spain, Madrid where the the Director of INGUAUT, the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism. Harris Whitbeck, received the award on behalf of the country.

INGUAUT celebrated the award as a historic milestone for the country's international promotion, pointing out that this recognition shows how Guatemala has managed to attract the attention and appreciation of global tourism thanks to a diversified offer, personalized experiences and a tourism development model based on sustainability and respect for the environment and local communities.

This prestigious award is the result of an open vote in which thousands of readers and travellers from all over the world participated, who recognized Guatemala for its authenticity, a rich cultural and historical heritage, exceptional natural landscapes and commitment to responsible and deeply human tourism.

Analysts highlight that this distinction will contribute to increasing interest in Guatemala as an emerging destination in Central America, attracting a greater number of international tourists, investors and tour operators and positioning the region as a whole as an area rich in cultural, natural and human diversity.

This achievement highlights the beauty of the Guatemalan volcanoes, jungles, lakes, and relevant archaeological sites linked to the iconic Mayan civilization, and in addition the value of its communities and ancestral traditions that enrich each visit.

From the majesty of Tikal to the serenity of Lake Atitlan, through the colourful colonial city of Antigua Guatemala and the bustling indigenous markets of Chichicastenango, the country has managed to position itself as a must - see destination for travellers looking for an authentic connection with culture and nature.

The Director of the Guatemalan Institute of Tourism, Harris Whitbeck during his speech said that this recognition is for Guatemalan people, traditions and commitment to offering authentic, sustainable and tourism experiences, deeply grateful top the readers of Condé Nast Traveler for choosing Guatemala and seeing the country as a unique and vibrant destination.

The world nowadays recognizes Guatemala as a benchmark in cultural and natural tourism. This award encourages the country to continue building a tourism industry that enhances people's roots protecting the national resources and generating opportunities for all Guatemalans.

Being chosen as the Best International Destination 2025 at Condé Nast Traveler's Readers' Choice Awards implies prestigious recognition, and also a positive projection in the global tourism landscape.

Link 
https://republica.com/actualidad/guatemala-corazon-del-mundo-maya-y-ahora-mejor-destino-internacional-2025--202561819130